So I finally made the jump from the GH5 to the S5II and honestly the PDAF is making me so hyped to shoot more stills. Im actually booking my first real portrait gig for a wedding out here in Seattle this October and I need to nail the glass choice. I used to be all about the MFT stuff but the full frame depth is a whole different beast and im still getting used to the compression. I was looking at the Lumix 85mm f1.8 because its light and honestly the price is a steal right now but then I saw the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art and I cant stop thinking about that bokeh. My budget is roughly $1000 so I could go either way but I am slightly worried about the weight of the Sigma for a long day of shooting. Does the 1.4 really make that much of a difference on the S5II sensor or is the native Lumix 85mm sharp enough for professional work? I really want that subject separation to pop since the background is gonna be some rainy garden vibe. Would you go for the native f1.8 primes or is the Sigma Art worth the extra cash and weight for someone just getting into the L-mount world? Or maybe I should look at a 50mm instead...
I've been shooting L-mount for years and honestly im satisfied with the Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8. It's sharp enough for pros and way lighter than the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for weddings.
To add to the point above: honestly if you want something that really makes the subject pop on that S5II, you might wanna look at the Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary. I moved away from the 85mm range for a bit because I found the 65mm focal length offers a bit more context while still keeping that compression tight enough for portraits. It is super compact and the build quality is basically tank-like without the heavy weight of the Art series lenses. If you really crave that f/1.4 look though, I once rented the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for a week and my wrist was definitely feeling it after a long shoot in the rain. It is a gorgeous piece of glass but for wedding work where you are constantly moving, having something like the Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 alongside a 85mm prime gives you way more versatility. Personally I think the f/1.8 native primes are underrated and the difference in background blur at 1.4 is often negligible once you have some distance between your subject and the trees.
